Plural coin controlled mechanism for vending machines or the like



March 5, 1946.

' E c. JOHNSON I 2,396,011 PLURA L COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES OR THE LIKE Filed April 29 1944 4 SheetsSheet 1 'INVENTOR. /me/' 63 .Jo/maon BY V 4 TTOENEK March 5, 1946. E. c. JOHNSON PLURAL COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM 'FOR VENDING MACHINES OR THE LIKE i iledA pril 29, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvmbnf/mer 6. Jab/7.50 1

March 5, 1946. E. c. JOHNSON 2,396,011

PLURAIJ COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES OR THE LIKE Filed- April 29 194 i 4 Sheets-Sheei a INVENTOR. E/me 61 c/0/7/Z60 7 A TTOENEY.

March 5, 1946.' E. c. JOHNSQN 2,396,011"

' PLURAL COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES OR THE LIKE Filed April 29, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. E/me/ 6. Johnson i I I TTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 5, 1946 PLURAL CO IN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES OR THE LIKE Elmer C. Johnson, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to 0. Earl Hovey, Kansas City, Mo., as trustee Application April 29, 1944, Serial No. 533,350 11 Claims. (01. 194 -84) This invention relates to vending machines of the character wherein is embodied at least two coin receiving and selecting units, and the primary aim is to provide in such a machine, unique and simple mechanism for precluding the introduction of onecoin until another coin has been placed.

This invention has for another important object to provide dual coin controlled mechanism for vending machines, which mechanism includes structure for depositing one of the coins in either of two separate locations, after it has been in troduced to one of the coin chutes of the machine, depending upon the presence of another coin in the companion coin chute.

This invention has for a still additional object the provision of a plural-coin controlled mechanism for manually manipulable vending machines, which mechanism has means foremploying one coin as an interconnecting element and Parts for handling the remaining coin in a particular manner, depending upon the presence of the first mentioned coin, said manually manipulable units of the vending machine being formed and disposed toeither eject one of the coins or direct the same into acoin box upon actuation thereof.

'Other. objects of the invention will appear, dur-.

ing the following specification, referring-to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an edge elevational View of the plural coin controlled mechanism for vending machines made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 isan elevational view of the opposite edge thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the plural coin controlled mechanism, illustrating the same mounted-upon a vending machine in the nature The inventionhas for an additional aim to provide a plural coin controlled mechanism for manually operative vending machines that has as a salient feature means for blocking the passage of a coin through a portion .of the mechanism until another coin has been introduced thereinto for the purpose 'of holding the blocking means inoperative, said blocking means being designed to require the presence of more than onecoin to open the way for the first mentioned coin.

This invention has for another and very imbeing the mounting of releasing structure on the I cover normally closing the open side of the case and engageable bysaid'case when the cove is closed to disengage the mechanical connections between the rotating plate ofthe cover and the on line V-V of Fig. 3.

of that disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,250,816, and showing means which renders the releasing means between the coin controlled mechanism. and the rotating disc inoperative when the cover of the machine is raised.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentarysectional viewthrougha portion of the vending machine and showing the parts of the plural coin control in a position differentfrom that illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the coin controlled mechanism showing the drive means that is actuated when the operator manipulates the mechanism.

- Fig. 7 is afragmentary' vertical sectional view taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 1.

Fig.8 is a horizontal'sectional view line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a vertical fragmentary sectional view taken on line IX-IX of Fig. 2.

Fi gj 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed perspective view of the lower portion of the plural coin control, illustrating the parts for directing the travel of one ofthe-coins after it has been introduced; and 1 Fig. 11 isan "enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view taken on line 'XI-XI of Fig. '7.

The vending machine having the pluralco'in controlled mechanism embodying the present invention and made as illustrated in the accompanyin dr wings. maybe in the nature of that illustrated and described in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,250,816; The vendible commodity is stored in a case l2 having one open side normally closed by lid M, which rotatably supports a plate l6,'the depending annular flange whereof hasa taken on rack I8 in mesh with pinion mounted on shaft 22. Step-by-step movement is imparted to rotatable plate I6 so that the access opening thereof is positioned over one vendible article at a time.

As disclosed in said Letters Patent (#2,250,816) a coin is employed to couple ratchet 24 and plate 26, the former being arrested after each operation by dog .28, yieldably held in place by springs 30. A reciprocable plunger 3.2 has connection with plate 26 through the medium of pin 34 and slot 36 and when a coin is introduced into chute 38, formed as a part of slug rejecting mechanism 40, it will enter the slot 42 of plate ".26 and vone of slots 44 of ratchet 24 to interconnect these parts. When plunger 32 is moved outwardly by the operator, pinion 20 will receive movement rotate plate I6.

With the parts just set forth and-uponthe type of machine shown in said Letters Patent, is combined a second slug rejecting mechanism '48,

wherein is formed a chute '50 for the reception of an additional coin. 'For purpose of completely describing the invention, it will be assumed that the plural coin controlled mechanism must re- .ceive both a penny and a nickel before it is possible to operate the machine and receive anarticle of merchandise therefrom. Chute 38, therefore, receives a nickel and .chute :50 receives a penny.

Because the nickel forms the interconnecting medium between parts 2-4 and 2.6, :it is desirable to create the mechanism so that at "least one penny must be introduced beifiore a nickel can move to operative position. Slug ejecting mechanisms and 48 are mounted in :side-by-side relation to the end that they may :be suitably housed in a case of minimum size. The case, not here shown, has slots in alignment with chutes '38. and 50, and when a penny is introduced, it will pass through slug ejecting mechanism .418 "for analysis, and being a genuine coin, will migrate to a place upon seat 52 of lever 5.4. This lever is pivotally mounted as at 51.6 and held in a normal position :by a spring .or analogous'means 58. :Seat I 52 is formed by an inturned portion of lever 54 and this portion projects across the lower portion of chutefiILas illustrated particularlyin Fig. 10.

Chute communicates with its lateral branches 6.0 and 52 to the .end that the coin, after it has come to rest on seat 52, either be ejected to the user of the machine through select branch 60, or deposited in a coin box through branch 62. A kick-out dog .64 pivotally mounted as at 66, is attached as at .68 to arm 10 forming a. part of the scavenger mechanism of the slug rejectors 40 and 48. This arm 10 is attached to yoke 12 pivotally mounted as at '14 and connected to rocker 16 by bar '18. When rocker (Bis moved by pulling plunger 32, arm '70 will move kick-out dog .64 so that the inturned end 8.0 thereof will strike the coin. resting on. seat 52 and force the same one. direction, i. e. outwardly through ejecting branch 60. Thus, if a penny '15 introduced and the operator tails to place a nickel,

inturned head 86. Dog 82 is connected to dog 28 through the medium of a pin and slot structure 88, as illustrated in Fig. 10. Thus, the penny is forced from seat 52 into branch 62,

When the penny on seat 52 is moved in either direction, as above described, lever 54 is forced down to permit the coin to escape from beneath heads or 86 as the-case may be. As ratchet -24'-is being moved to the end of .a step, dog 28 will be drawn back into the next succeeding tooth of ratchet 24 when the nickel is dropped into the coin chute, not here shown, but which is below plate 90 mounted upon lid I4 as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The dropping of the nickel will open; about the same time that the penn is forced ,irom seat -52.

After the penny has been positioned upon its seat :52 and as it, remains thereon, it will engage the downwardly and outwardl projecting means on part 92 on gate 94 to move said gate around its pivotal support 96 and, withdraw the same to the dotted line position shown :in Fig. .11., inorder that a nickel may Pass through chute 3-8.. The penny is illustrated in dotted lines of Fig. 11 and designated by the numeral 98, and-it. will be obvious that the presence of the penny will open ate 94 to permit the nickel to pass into its normal position between ratchet and plate 24 and 26 respectively.

A stop I00 limits the movement of part 92 and gate 94, and in the :form :of the structure illus trated in detail in Fig. ll, the action of gravity will maintain gate 9'4 in its :normal position :intersecting chute 38 to preclude passage of a coin therethrough. When gate 94 .is in its normal position the coin will be returned from within chute 38 because gate 94 will divert the coin into a return slot I02 where it may be recovered and introduced after a coin has been placed in chute 50.. ,It is preferable to have return branch 60 and return slot H2 merge into a common :mouth to avoid confusion.

The length of means 9.2 which ishe-re shown to be in the nature of an extension from gate 94,

may be altered to require more than one coin 98 to open the gate and allow a coin to pass through chute 38. Thus, if two pennies must be collected asa tax, for example, the operation of the equipmer t cannot occur until two pennies and another coin, such as a nickel, are fed into the mechanism. Extension 92 is bendable, and therefore, the equipment may be made to operate onl when two or more pennies are introduced by the operator merely arching or bending member 92.

Dog 28 is normally in engagement with ratchet- 24 to preclude turning of plate I6, but since the access opening needs to be specially located when the case I4 is refilled. it is desirable to have plate It freely movable when lid I4 is raised from its position over the open side of case I2, Such object of the invention is fulfilled by the use of slide 104 having a head I06 disposed as shown inFigs. ,3. and 4, and a hook 108 at its inner end to move into and out of engagement with a depending pin H0, secured to dog 28.. A spring 2 having one end secured to bracket I14 throughthe medium of pin I I6, has its other end fastened to slide I04 by pin IIB. Slide I04 is reciprocably carried. by bracket I14 by having slots 42B and 122 in engagement with a pin '5 and H6 respectively.

When the lid is closed, hook I08 is out of engagement with pin I I0 but when the lid is opened to permit spring II2 to draw slide I84 in. one' direction. and against pin till, the. force will disengage dog 28 from the notches in ratchet 24.

Thisratchet together with pinion 2ll and plate It, will freely rotate without dog 28 snapping to and from a place within the teeth of the ratchet. When the plate 16 on cover I4 is re-set so that the access opening is again at its point of beginning, a closing of lid M will automatically allow specified amount is to be'collected for a vendible commodity, which amount cannot be represented bya single coin of standard denomination. It is also clear from the detailed description, hereinabove set down, that any number of pennies may be collected as a tax and that while the invention has been described with regard to the use of pennies and nickels, coin of difierent denominations may be handl'edwith'out departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired 'to'be secured by Letters Patentis: I 1. In a vending machine of the character described, manually manipulable coin controlled mechanism for imparting movement to parts of the vending machine including a pair of coin chutes; a gate normally closing one of the chutes; and means carried-by the gate for engagement by a coin in the other chute for maintaining the gate out of said one chute until the mechanism is operated.

2. In a vending machine of the character described, manually manipulable coin controlled mechanism for imparting movement to parts of I the vending machine including a pair of coin chutes; a gate normally closing'one of the chutes; and means carried by the gate for engagement by a coin in the other chute for maintaining the gate out of said one chute until the mechanism mlis operated, said manually manipulable mechthrough one of the chutes; agate normally closingsaid one chute; means carried by the gate for engagement by'a coin in the other chute for main- 7 taining the gate out of said one chute; and structure for ejecting the coin from the said other chute when the connectable elements are shifted by ,manuaimanipulation after a coin has been introduced theretothroughthe said one chute.

6. In avending'machine of the character described, manually manipulable coin controlled mechanism for imparting movementto parts of the vending machine including a pair of coinchutes; elements connectable by a coin passing through one of the chutes; a gate normally closing said one chute; means carried by the gate for engagement by a coin in the other chute for maintaining the gate out of'said one'chute; and structure for ejecting the coin from the said other chute when the connectable elements are shifted by manual manipulation after a coin has been introduced thereto through the said one chute,

said structure including a yieldable seat for the coin and pushers disposed to force the coin from said seat in either of two directions.

'7. In a vending machine, of the character described, manually rmanipulable coin controlled mechanism'for imparting movement to parts of anism having parts shiftable by the operation thereof for ejecting the coin from the said other chute.

3. In a vending machine of the character described, manually manipulable coin controlled mechanism for imparting movement to parts of the vending machine including a pair of coin chutes; a gate normally closing one of the chutes;

and means carried by the gate for engagementby a coin in the other chute for maintaining the gate out of said one chute until the mechanism is operated, said manually manipulable mechanism having parts shiftable by the operation thereof for ejecting the coin from the said other chute,

said gate having yieldable means for holding the same in the normal, chute-closing position. i

4. In a vending machine of the character described, manually manipulable coin controlled mechanism for imparting movement to parts of the vending machine including a pair of, coin chutes; a gate normally closing one of the chutes; and means carried by the gate for engagement by a coin in the other chute for maintainin the gate out of said one chute until the mechanism is operated, said coin engageable means on the gate being adapted for adjustment where more than one coin is required to be present in the. said other chute before the gate is Withdrawn from the said one chute.

5. In a vending machine of the character described, manually manipulable coin controlled mechanism for imparting movement to parts of the vending machine including a pair of coin chutes; elements connectable by a coin passing the vending machine including a pairof coin chutes; elements connectable by a coin passing through one of the chutes; a gate normally closing said one chute; means carried by the gate for engagement by a coin in the other chute for maintaining the gate out of said one chute; and structure for ejecting the coin from said other chute when the connectable elements are shifted by manual manipulation after a coin has been introduced thereto through the said one chute, said structure including a yieldable seat for the coin and pushers disposed to force the coin from the seat in either of two directions, one of said pushers being operably coupled to the connectable elements whereby the coin on the seat is' forced therefrom in one direction when the coin from the said one chute has operably connected the said elements.

8. In a vending machine of the character described, manually manipulable coin controlled -mechanism for imparting movement to parts of the vending machine including a pair of coin chutes; elements connectable by a coin passing through one of the chutes; a gate normally closing said one chute; means carried by the gate for engagement by a coin in the other chute for maintaining the gate out of said one chute; and structure for ejecting the coin from said other chutewhen the connectable elements are shifted by manual manipulation after a coin has been introduced thereto through the said one chute, said structure including a yieldable seat for the coin and pushers disposed to force the coin from said seat in either of two directions, one of said pushers being operably coupled to the connectable elements whereby the coin on the seat is forced therefrom in one direction whenthe coin from the said one chute has operably connected the said elements, the other of said pushers being operably connected to the manually manipulable portion of the said mechanism for forcing the coin from the seat in the other direction upon movement of said mechanism when no coin is.

joining the connectable elements.

9. In a vending machine'of the character described, manually manipulable coin controlled mechanism for imparting movement to part of the vending machine including a pair of coin chutes; elements. connectable: by a coin. passing through; one of? the chutes; a gate normally 010s;- ing; said one: chute; means carried by the gate forengagement by a coin in the other chute for maintaining the gate out of said one chute and structure for ejecting the coin from the said other chute when the connectable elements are shifted by manual manipulationv after a; coin has been introduced thereto through the said one chute, said structure including a. yieldable seat for the coin and pushers disposed to force the coinfrom said seat in either of two directions, one of said pushers being operably connected to them-anually manipulable portion of the said mechanism for forcing the coin from the seat in one direction upon movement: of said mechanism) when coin is joining the connectable elements.

1 0. In a. vending machine of the. character described, manually manipulable coin controlled mechanism for imparting. movement to parts of the; vending machine, including a pair of coin selectors disposed in side-by-side relation, each having a coin chute formed. therein; a gate normally closing one. of. said coin chutes; means car'- ried by the gate and extending into the coin chute oi the. other coin selector for engagement by a coin entering the chute of the said other selector; a seat for arresting the coin in the chute of the other selector where itwillbe in. engagement with the: means carried by the gate to; hold the. gate out of the said one coinchute; a pushertoreturn the coin to the user upon manual manipulation of the mechanism andin the absence of a coin in the said one coin chute; and parts for returnin the gate to its normal position when the coin in the said other chute has been returned to the user.

11. Ina vending machineof the-character described, manually manipulable coin controlled mechanism for. imparting movement to parts of the vending machine, including av pair of coin selectors disposed in side-by-side relation, each having a coin chute formed therein; a gate normally closing one of. said coin chutes; means carried by the gate and: extending into. the coin chute. of the other coin. selector for engagement by a coin, entering the chute of. the said. other selector; aseat for arrestingthe coinin the chute of the other selector where it will be. in engagement with the means carried by the gate; to hold the gate out of the said one. coin chute; a pusher to force the coin from said seat after. a coin, has been introduced into the said one chute and upon manual manipulation of the mechanism; and parts f0r returning the gate to its. normal position when thecoin is forced from said seat.

ELMER C. J OHNSON'. 

